Former Newcastle United defender has tipped Eddie Howe to break the club’s 68-year domestic trophy curse. Jimmy Scoular was the last Toon player to lift a cup at Wembley after inspiring the Magpies to a 3-1 win over Manchester City.
The sport is almost unrecognisable from the one played in Spring 1955, highlighting just how desperate Geordies are for a trophy. Another Manchester club, United, is what stands in their way of ending the barren spell.
A repeat of the 1999 FA Cup final will feature two of the Premier League’s most in-form sides. Both clubs are competing for a Champions League spot and, like Newcastle, the Red Devils are also suffering a trophy drought.
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No major honour since 2017 is rookie numbers compared to the Magpies’ wait but still adds an added dynamic to the clash. Speaking to talkSPORT, ex-England left-back Pearce - who had a two-year spell on Tyneside in the late 90s - backed his former club to come good.
“I’ve got a sneaky suspicion Newcastle will win it,” he said. “They are four or five years ahead of schedule. Last year people were saying the money was coming in and they could be threatening the (Premier League) top six.
“You were thinking, ‘Yeah, yeah yeah – I’ve heard this all before’ but it’s incredible what they have done this year. The best defensive record in the league. Eddie Howe’s signings have been brilliant.
“Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope and Dan Burn have been magnificent for them, I’ve got to say. Howe has turned Miguel Almiron and Joelinton around. Eddie has done a brilliant job. The atmosphere there at the moment is just incredible. The club is absolutely flying and credit to them.”
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